5 rain barrel problems solved by gardening experts – for better rainwater harvesting at home

A rain barrel is an incredibly useful addition to a backyard, especially if you're looking to be more sustainable. It means you don't have to rely on tap water to keep your garden hydrated – which is better for your plants and your wallet. And, if a hosepipe ban comes into play during the height of summer, you'll be prepared.

The idea behind a rain barrel is simple. You connect a large vessel to the downpipe on the guttering of a building – be it a shed, a greenhouse, or your home – and the rainwater flows in, filling it up. But when harvesting rainwater in this way, some problems can arise, from insect intrusion and undesirable odors to weak pressure when attaching a hose.

Luckily, with a bit of know-how and advice from the experts, such rain barrel problems can be solved, and common mistakes avoided.

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5 common issues with rain barrels and how to solve them

Keep your sustainable garden problem-free with these expert insights.

1. The water in my rain barrel has turned green

Not adding a lid to your rain barrel is probably one of the biggest mistakes you can make. One problem that can derive from this is the growth of green algae, as sunlight encourages it.

If you cover the rain barrel, the algae that is thriving there will die and the water will stay clear and wholesome – and much more suitable for watering delicate seedlings, should you need to. Keeping the rain barrel somewhere relatively shaded can also reduce algae formation.

2. There's a dead slug in my rain barrel

A slug floating in your barrel can be more than a little off-putting. 'Use a net to remove the slug, but if you haven’t got one, place a piece of cardboard in the water, under the slug, then raise it gently,' says John Negus, a gardening expert.

'The slug will almost certainly adhere to the cardboard and both can be consigned to the compost heap.'

3. Mosquitoes are living in my rain barrel

Unfortunately, rain barrels can attract mosquitoes. Again, a tight-fitting lid can prevent this problem, or stretch and secure one made from mesh – such as these well-rated Bandelt ones from Amazon.

'Alternatively, pour a little vegetable oil into the water,' says John Negus. 'This forms a surface layer that the mosquitoes can’t penetrate and any existing larvae will be robbed of oxygen and die.'

4. The water in my rain barrel smells bad

Although, according to the Royal Horticultural Society, you can still use bad-smelling rain barrel water in a watering can, an annual clean can prevent the problem and keep it fresh.

The process is easy: disconnect it from the downpipe and empty it out, including any accumulated debris at the bottom, then scrub the interior with warm water mixed with bleach, dish soap, or vinegar. Rinse and let it dry afterward.

It's also a good idea to periodically clean the gutters that feed into the water butt.

5. When attaching a hose to my rain barrel, the water pressure is very low

Provided the hose isn't clogged with debris, this problem is likely caused by your rain barrel being positioned too low. Creating a sturdy base for it to sit off the ground by at least a foot will increase the water pressure.

What's more, it will also make it easier to fill up a watering can – and help to protect it from frosts during winter.

FAQs

Is it safe to use the water from a water butt, that is fed from our house roof, on vegetables? We found a dead mouse in it and birds perch on the ridge a lot.

'I understand your concern about watering your vegetables using water from a butt in which a mouse drowned and which may have been contaminated with bird poo,' says John Negus, a gardening expert of Homes & Gardens.

'Normally, when rain barrel water is used for irrigating crops, the contaminants we are talking about break down into basic elements – nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium – which are used by plants as food. I do not think you need be alarmed about this situation, though if you remain concerned you can buy rain barrel purification tablets from garden centers and online.'

Overall, adding a lid to your rain barrel, positioning it correctly, and giving it a clean now and again are the key factors in preventing common problems. Once you've got those sorted, they become so straightforward to use that you may even decide to invest in another for your backyard.